Conductive polymer, conductive polymer compositions and methods for their use

Abstract

The invention provides an electrolyte comprising an ester-cured alkaline phenolic resole resin containing conducting alkaline salts and methods for the use of the resin.

1. An electrolyte comprising an ester-cured alkaline phenolic resole resin containing conducting alkaline salts. 
     
     
       2. An electrolyte as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the ester-cured alkaline phenolic resole resin containing conducting alkaline salts is a reaction product of an ester curing agent with an phenolic resole and a base. 
     
     
       3. An electrolyte as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the phenolic resole is a reaction product of a phenol-reactive aldehyde with an alkaline compound of formula 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is a straight or branched chain optionally unsaturated alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a halogen atom or a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, a hydroxy group, and/or a phenyl or benzyl group; 
         M is a mixture of hydrogen ions and at least one further cation wherein the molar ratio of hydrogen ions to the at least one further cation is sufficient for the pH to be greater than 7; and 
         n is from 0 to 2. 
       
     
     
       4. An electrolyte as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the phenol-reactive aldehyde is a compound of formula
   RCHO  (II)
 
 
       wherein R represents hydrogen atom or a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; or a precursor of a compound of formula (II). 
     
     
       5. An electrolyte as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the phenol-reactive aldehyde is reacted with the compound of formula (I) in a ratio of from 1:1 to 1:3. 
     
     
       6. An electrolyte as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the ester curing agent is of formula
   R 3 COOR 4   (III)
 
 wherein R 3  represents a hydrogen atom or a straight or branched chain alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a halogen atom; and 
 R 4  represents a straight or branched chain alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally substituted by one or more hydroxy and/or R 3 COO −  groups, or 
 a phenyl group optionally substituted by a straight or branched chain optionally unsaturated alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, a hydroxy group, and/or a phenyl or benzyl group (optionally substituted by a hydroxy group and/or a straight or branched chain alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms); or 
 
       R 3  represents a chemical bond to R 4  and R 4  represents a straight or branched chain alkyl group containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       7. An electrolyte as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the resin includes a plasticiser to increase flexibility of the resin. 
     
     
       8. An electrical device, comprising:
 two asymmetric electrodes; and 
 an electrolyte comprising an ester-cured alkaline phenolic resole resin containing conducting alkaline salts. 
 
     
     
       9. An electrical device as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the device is a cell. 
     
     
       10. An electrical device as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the device is a battery including two or more cells. 
     
     
       11. An electrical device as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the device is a capacitor. 
     
     
       12. A method of electromagnetically shielding a location, the method comprising the step of:
 shielding the location with an ester-cured alkaline phenolic resole resin containing conducting alkaline salts. 
 
     
     
       13. A method as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the resin is foamed. 
     
     
       14. A method of preventing electrostatic discharge at a location, the method comprising the step of:
 applying an effective amount of an ester-cured alkaline phenolic resole resin containing conducting alkaline salts to the location. 
 
     
     
       15. A method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the resin is foamed. 
     
     
       16. A method of suppressing electromagnetic interference in an electronic product, the method comprising the step of:
 applying an effective amount of an ester-cured alkaline phenolic resole resin containing conducting alkaline salts to the electronic product. 
 
     
     
       17. A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises the step of:
 constructing a housing for the product wherein the housing is constructed at least partially from the ester-cured alkaline phenolic resole resin containing conducting alkaline salts. 
 
     
     
       18. A method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the resin is foamed.